SB 78-HUNT/FISH LICENSE FOR NONRESIDENT STUDENT  3:46:42 PM CO-CHAIR BISHOP announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 78 "An Act relating to hunting, trapping, and fishing licenses for certain nonresident postsecondary students; and providing for an effective date." He invited the sponsor to introduce the bill. 3:47:05 PM SENATOR DAVID WILSON, District N, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, sponsor of SB 78 introduced the legislation speaking to the sponsor statement: Senate Bill 78 adds a new non-resident student hunting, fishing, and trapping license. Upon passage of this legislation, a non-resident student enrolled in classes part time, as determined by their school, can purchase a license at resident cost. This does not change any regulations or the cost of tags. Research shows hunting and fishing have declined since the 1960s. As the percentage of the population that hunts, fishes, and traps declines, so does our conservation funding. Conservation funding by federal statutes (Pittman-Robertson Act, Dingell-Johnson Act, Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp Act, etc.) is directly tied to excise taxes on things like ammunition, firearms, archery and fishing equipment. These taxes are then distributed to the states' fish and game departments for conservation and management efforts. To access these federal dollars, the states must match the funding, Alaska does so by utilizing the revenue from hunting and fishing licenses. The direct correlation between our hunters and our conservation ability cannot be overlooked. It is critical that we encourage younger generations to participate in these wonderful outdoor activities. While COVID saw an uptick in licensees due to indoor activity closures, we cannot rely on a pandemic to increase participation. Though hunting and fishing may not be easy hobbies to pick up, an additional financial burden may make it even harder. Many younger students who might be interested in learning how to hunt and fish are also trying to pay for college life. Lowering the license cost non-resident students pay may encourage them to go hunting and fishing with their fellow residents. 3:51:33 PM CO-CHAIR GIESSEL asked him to clarify that these students would be enrolled in Alaska post-secondary institutions. SENATOR WILSON confirmed that the students would be enrolled in a postsecondary school in Alaska. He directed attention to the language in Section 2, page 2, line 5 that identifies an individual who is enrolled as a student either half- or full- time at a postsecondary institution described under AS 14.43.830(a). This statute identifies a qualified post-secondary school for purposes of qualifying for a state loan. CO-CHAIR GIESSEL asked for confirmation that the license program would apply only to students enrolled on the ground in Alaska. SENATOR WILSON confirmed they would need to be enrolled in Alaska's higher education system. 3:53:41 PM SENATOR KAWASAKI offered his understanding that if the bill were to pass, a non-resident student who is enrolled at UAF would be entitled to a hunting, fishing, or trapping license at the resident price, so the cost would be less. SENATOR WILSON said that's correct. A resident hunting and fishing license costs $60, whereas the cost is $260 for a non- resident. SENATOR KAWASAKI asked whether these students would be entitled to a fishing and hunting license under the indigent circumstances provision in statute. SENATOR WILSON offered his understanding that those exceptions only apply to residents. CO-CHAIR BISHOP suggested he follow up with the specifics. SENATOR WILSON said the ADF&G webpage that talks about the cost of licenses does not list an income-based hunting and fishing license for non-residents. 3:55:37 PM SENATOR KAWASAKI asked whether the proposed license for non- resident students would qualify them to become a personal use fisher in the dipnet fishery. SENATOR WILSON said no; these individuals would not be eligible for those activities. SENATOR CLAMAN expressed concern about including half-time students. He said he periodically hears about individuals taking a surprisingly small number of classes and still receiving student status. SENATOR WILSON said he and the commissioner discussed that possibility and that's the reason half-time student is specified. Somebody couldn't qualify by enrolling in a "quick online class." He paraphrased the definition for financial aid programs for post-secondary students. 3:58:51 PM SENATOR CLAMAN asked how half-time student and fulltime student are defined in AS 14.43.160. 3:59:39 PM At ease 3:59:46 PM CO-CHAIR BISHOP reconvened the meeting. SENATOR WILSON read the definition of half-time student in AS 14.43.160: (4) "half-time student" means an undergraduate, graduate, or career education student who, during the semester, is enrolled and is in regular attendance at classes at one or more public or private institutions of higher education for six to 11 semester credit hours or an equivalent of six to 11 semester credit hours, and includes a career education student enrolled and in regular attendance in classes for 15 hours a week or a graduate student who is enrolled and is in regular attendance at classes for the equivalent of six to eight semester hours of credit or the equivalent; 4:00:43 PM SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI asked if the intent was to include half- time students who live out-of-state and enroll in online courses or if there's a requirement for the students to live in Alaska while attending school. SENATOR WILSON referenced the definition that specifies that the individual has to be enrolled in a school or university that is physically located in Alaska. CO-CHAIR BISHOP observed that that definition didn't say the individual must be domiciled in Alaska. SENATOR WILSON agreed then added that the idea was that the individual would not live in Alaska fulltime. Maintaining their out-of-state residency may be required for their scholarship or other financial benefit. They are still contributing to this state by living here part-time and going to school. 4:02:21 PM SENATOR KAWASAKI asked whether a student had to be enrolled in an Alaska post-secondary institution at the time that they apply for a license. SENATOR WILSON answered that the individual would need to be enrolled at the time they apply for the license. SENATOR KAWASAKI asked whether foreign students would qualify. SENATOR WILSON said no. 4:04:06 PM GINA ESKOLA, Staff, Senator David Wilson, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, presented the sectional analysis for SB 78 on behalf of the sponsor. Section 1: Amends the section to include the new nonresident postsecondary student license. Section 2: Adds a new subsection allowing for nonresident students who are enrolled half-time or part-time in postsecondary education to purchase a special nonresident postsecondary student license for sport fishing, hunting, or trapping at the same cost as a resident license. Section 3: Provides uncodified law that allows the Department of Fish and Game to adopt regulations to implement to the new license. Section 4: Provides for an effective date. Section 5: Provides for an effective date. 4:05:02 PM CO-CHAIR BISHOP opened public testimony on SB 78; finding none, he closed public testimony and held the bill in committee.